More evidence of Riley receiving Indian casino money

[Syrinx]

Convicted lobbyist Michael Scanlon's financial interest in Alabama politics dates to 2001, when he intended to spend $75,000 from one of his Indian gaming clients to help elect Bob Riley governor, records from a congressional investigation show.

Scanlon's company ledger shows he earmarked $75,000 for Riley under the heading "Operation Orange." That's the nickname he gave to his promise to turn the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians into a political powerhouse by limiting competition for their tribal casinos, including in Alabama.

Over the course of eight days in late 2001, Scanlon withdrew $75,000 from his company's account and gave $50,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the NRCC made a major contribution to Riley's gubernatorial campaign. The ledger designates that the Nov. 26 withdrawal was for a "bama race," and a separate page shows an expense of $75,000 was for "Riley" and that it would be "per check nrcc."

This is the third revelation of Scanlon's making large donations to organizations that in turn contributed to Riley's campaign. The Mississippi Choctaws paid Scanlon millions of dollars to help fight gambling proposals in nearby states. Riley campaigned against gambling, while then-Gov. Don Siegelman advocated a state lottery during his failed re-election campaign.

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